San Marcos head coach Bryan Webb picked up the phone Tuesday afternoon to call his former shortstop, David Hamilton.
Hamilton answered. Webb told him congratulations. He told him he loved and said he would support whatever decision Hamilton makes. After the phone call, the coach put on a Brewers cap and sent Hamilton a selfie.
The shortstop had just been selected by Milwaukee in the eighth round with the 253rd overall pick in the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
“His dad did a real good job getting him ready and he was easy to coach. He had high character, high quality. (He's) a gracious young man, very respectful. I never had off-the-field issues with him, never had grade issues with him,” Webb said. “It’s a huge feat. That was his goal. Nobody deserves it more.”
Hamilton started for the Rattlers in all four of his years at San Marcos from 2013-2015. As a senior, he helped lead the team to a regional quarterfinal appearance, the program’s second in history.
The shortstop was drafted in the 28th round by the Los Angeles Angels in 2016, but elected instead to play for the University of Texas at Austin. Hamilton spent two seasons on the field for the Longhorns, batting .256 for his collegiate career while racking up 57 RBIs in 125 games. Hamilton was also named the Spike Owen Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and became the orange an white’s leadoff hitter as a sophomore.
His final game at Texas ended in a 6-1 loss to Florida at the NCAA College World Series on June 19, 2018, in which he batted 1-4 with one walk. Hamilton tore his Achilles prior to the start of the 2019 season and had to sit out his junior year.
Hamilton is still eligible to return to school.
“What a great pick for the Brewers. I think they got a steal where they got him,” Webb said. “You know, he’s just a humble, gracious kid that — kids like that deserve that opportunity. I hope that whatever decision he makes, I hope he’s the best.”
